Sebastiano Baldini (1615–1685) was a satirical Roman poet, librettist for almost every composer operating in Rome at that time,[1] and a secretary to a series of cardinals. The most important was Flavio Chigi.[2] For his literary qualities and his good humour he was well received by the aristocracy and Roman cultural circles. Alessandro Stradella used a text by Baldini, based on a scenario by Christina, Queen of Sweden, for his 1677 cantata/serenata La forza delle stelle (also incorrectly known as Il Damone).[3]

He was a member of various academies, including those of literary humorists in Rome and Pesaro (founded in 1645).[4] Baldini was drawn by Pier Francesco Mola.[5]

References

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  1. Talbot, Michael (2009). Aspects of the Secular Cantata in Late Baroque Italy. Ashgate. p. 4. ISBN 9780754657941.
  2. Freitas, Roger, ed. (2006). Atto Melani – Complete Cantatas. A-R Editions. p. xv. ISBN 9780895795816.
  3. Talbot 2009, p. 23.
  4. Giorgio Morelli, "Sebastiano Baldini", in Strenna dei romanisti, XXXIX, 1978, p. 262
  5. The poet Baldini drinking in Melosi's bar, Christie's

Further reading

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  • Giorgio Morelli: Sebastiano Baldini. Le poesie per musica nei codici della Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Rome, Istituto di bibliografia musicale, 2000, OCLC 57374028, ISBN 978-88-88627-02-1